Find ski buddies in Osaka

Osaka's riders head north into the mountains of Hyogo, Shiga and Gifu. Biwako Valley, high above Lake Biwa, is a popular day trip with views over the water, and Hachi Kogen and Hachi Kita in northern Hyogo are favourites for weekends. Many snowboarders drive to Gifu's Okumino area, where Dynaland, Takasu and Washigatake have a big park and freestyle scene. For deeper snow, people take longer trips to Hakuba or Hokkaido. Overnight bus tours and carpools are common ways to get there, and the Kansai scene is big and sociable.